North Korea Fires Two Short-Range Missiles Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit

SEOUL, Sept. 20 — North Korea has fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea within hours of each other, just days before a significant summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The first missile was launched around 3:00 PM, followed by a second launch at approximately 5:50 PM, both originating from the Wonsan area, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

The first missile reportedly traveled about 450 kilometers, while the second reached over 600 kilometers. The JCS is currently analyzing the specifics of these missile launches, which are seen as a clear demonstration of North Korea's ongoing military capabilities and intentions.

This provocative act comes as Trump and Xi prepare for their meeting, where discussions are expected to focus on North Korea's denuclearization. The missile launches are interpreted as North Korea's attempt to assert its military strength and send a message to the U.S. administration.

In response to these launches, South Korea's National Security Office convened an emergency meeting to assess the implications for national security and to discuss potential responses. The North's actions have been condemned as violations of U.N. Security Council resolutions prohibiting its missile and nuclear development.